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As an Artist, a singer and a songwriter, he makes it clear that “Love” isn’t just a word, but an act that originates from a deep affection and a sentiment towards the person we want to share our life with.

Long gone the days when men were giving promises to their loved ones, gone and mocked in those times too. Why? Well.. something has to do with the rise of individuality and dismissing the normal need to someone else with whom we can share our happiness, be it right or not, it ripped the romance from a great assist and aspect .. Obligation, sacrifice, patience and commitment.

As most of his music does, “Makin’ Out” is a song by Mark Owen, the first, or maybe the second single of his third studio album “How the Might Falls” that provokes my mind and soul, giving me a beautiful feelings and allows my thoughts to wander.

An emotional and imaginative Wanderlust .. That’s a constant state of mind that I usually find myself in whenever I listen to his music, It’s all in the words and his not so perfect voice, that makes him so endearing, captivating, relatable and sincere.

“Makin’ Out” Is a romantic love song as you can guess from the title, but never he mentions the word “Love” in the lyrics, instead, he chooses to display his emotion through a series of promises he makes to his beloved person, a promises that sounds naïve, old fashioned and too innocent sometimes, yet no one can say they’re not honest nor endearing.

What do we expect from the person we love?

Mark knows it very well, and he makes sure he displays it in his “Actions”, not words, not once he uses a phrase to deliver a sentiment, yet he describes an actions and beautiful considerate deeds that shows his emotion.

In almost every line of every verse, Owen starts with “I’ll be the one who .. “, and sometimes he wants his loved one to be the center of the promises by saying “you’ll be the one”

The lovely pop/ rock song kicks off with the lines “I’ll be the one who brings you coffee when you can’t get up … I’ll be the one who turns the light out when you go to sleep”

Don’t we all expect a considerate helpful person to be by our side? The lovely mark promises that.

“You’ll be the one who keeps me sober, one to keep me sane and you say
Shut up, shut up, every time I say it”

A person who accepts our attempts to keep them on the right track without shouting “Leave me alone” at our faces.

“And I’d cut my fingers to the bone,
And I’d split my sides in for you”

He takes the pain for her, not an empty words, but an affirmative action..

“I’ll be the one who stands beside you in the photograph
I’ll be the one that’s in your water when you want me there
I’ll be the one you’re falling over every time you laugh”

All the memories that we take for granted, the shared moments that we don’t give much thought to but end up being of the greatest value when years pass by and we give ourselves the time to visit them again.

“I’ll be the one who keeps you guessing, who swears a lot
I’ll be the one that let your colour in the white wash
You’ll be the one that knocks the man out I was beating up and you say

Shut up, shut up, every time I say it”

Can you live a peaceful life forever? You need a bit of trouble and tension from time to time, he promises that .. he will upset her with some foolish actions, giving her a chance to be mean to him without feeling guilty, allowing her to express a wider range of emotions in a moments that will give them a good laugh when they recall them.

“Tonight, we throw ourselves away
And we make it every time
When I thought I was ok
You said I was alright
As the night comes crashing down
We catch ourselves a line
Yeah we’re only makin’ out
If we make it out all right”

Finding pleasure in the smallest things, appreciating the moments they spend together, showing affection, intimacy and vulnerability in a much simpler acts of love, a makin’ out for him is enough, if it was with her.

In A loved one, we crave affection, wish for help and consideration, an ease and excitement, a care that sometimes manifests itself in fighting over stupid things, an appreciation of us, our time, our feelings, and our shared moments and memories, a growth, an affirmation of a future that keeps us together, a trust that we are willing to see it happen .. and most importantly, a purity and innocence that allows us to accept each other’s foolishness and harmless mistakes.

Mark Owen has the sentiment of a poet, a very sensitive person who finds joy in what others take for granted, or worse, in what others consider a “downside” of being committed to someone.

This brilliant Third Album (Midnight Memories) received a positive reviews from everybody and it deserves it. First of All I like the fact the boys co-written the album which gives a clear indication of the path the direction they’re heading to regarding the musical style, lyrics and sound. for this album being a pop-rock album, fitting their age perfectly and appealing to Everyone with it’s variable sounds, slow songs, pop and rock.

The topics are generally about love, also about missing home while taking over the world. 18 tracks in the deluxe version, makes a Statement from the first track and leaves a deep impression, once you heard it for the first time you’ll put it in the favourite and repeat. The album is FULL OF singles, till now they have released 4 official singles ” Best Song Ever” fun pop track, “Story of My Life” folk pop track with outstanding musical arrangement and Lyrics, “Midnight Memories” pop rock track with superb feel good music and feel good lyrics, the song is full of Fun and sounds Amazing live, The Last (till now) official single is the slow “You and I“, the music video was revealed today and it’s BRILLIANT. Another outstanding potentially single tracks, and my group of favourites are “Little White Lies“, “Does He Know“, “Diana“, “Strong” and “Happily“

What stood out for me in this album is the fair vocal distribution among the tracks, in the first 2 albums Harry and Zayn took the lead, followed by Liam, then Niall, and poor Louis will barely have a solo section in the song ( though his voice is my favourite, it’s the loveliest followed by Zayn’s voice, but lacks the strength needed for high notes), having a pop rock direction, Louis and Niall got the chance to show their abilities and shine, they sing loads of solo sections and sound amazing, totally fitting the rock tracks, for this I am very Glad.

(Outstanding live performance of Midnight Memories)

This Album proven plenty of facts:

– One Direction are blessed with the best Music Video Directors of ALL TIME

– One Direction are blessed with outstanding songwriting team and abilities, creating songs that appeals to everybody and leaves a very strong impression from the first time.

– Their next Tour will be something to watch, listen and look forward, I imagine sold out stadiums all around the world, which they surely deserve, and strong strike at every Music Awards.

– They’re developing and maturing in the right pace, walking steadily and approaching the crown of best boy band, and maybe band, of all time, and I’m sure they can do it.

– Their style and image, art work and graphics are something to watch closely and learn from.

She’s Gorgeous Lady I must admit, I have a huge admiration for her as a person and an artist, thanks to strictly come dancing that introduced me to Sophie.

I wasn’t familiar with her before as I’m from different continent and culture, so when I routed for her during strictly, I was pleased she’s releasing an album so I would know what is it like, especially because I was fascinated by her talking voice, so imagine how lovely it would be to ear her sing.

I had the advantage of being totally open minded hence I knew nothing about her music before (though I’ve read it’s a dance pop, but didn’t discover any).

The Album is a grower that’s for sure, requires a certain mood and preparation, if you’re busy or distracted you’ll not get the magic of it and probably wouldn’t like it much. “Wanderlust” is a mysterious, dreamy, beautiful piece of art, a fairy tale with its eastern dominant style in the melodies and string instruments, Bulgarian choir and Waltz songs. The lyrics, topics and general feel of the album is quite peaceful, coming from a very clear place.. a thinking mind, but a peaceful one. Sophie’s balanced personality is shining through, you think about the topics discussed but never feel occupied, busy minded or depressed by them. I loved the whole vibe, felt like reading a culture book featuring plenty of metaphors and tales, I imagined Myself on rocking chair staring through the window in a quiet rainy day, settled down with no worries, reflecting on certain experiences and analyzing some emotions.

The I tunes version contains 11 tracks, starting with an outstanding eastern “Birth of an Empire”, being Arabic, I felt familiar with its musical composition and was reminded of the old Arabic Ballads. “Birth of an Empire” sets the mood of the album and prepares the listener to what comes next.

“Young Blood” the first single of the Album features endearing, warm and sensational vocals from Sophie, expressing love relationship from a mature lady’s prospective. It’s my favourite track. Here’s my favourite Live performance of the song

“Runaway daydreamer” is my second favourite track, and second single of the Album. Lyrically and vocally the song is Gorgeous, something every lady and girl could connect easily too, we’ve all been there, daydreaming. Sophie performed it live in Loose Women.

The 2 Official Music Videos were simple, elegant and sets a 60’s style and fashion. First is “Young Blood” with one location set, Sophie is wandering around in a windy day

“Runaway Daydreamer” Music Video, as simple as it is, capture the soul and essence of the song perfectly, you might wonder why didn’t they made extra effort and pay more money to make an a little bit exciting Music Video, but giving the nature and feeling of the song, The Music Video is Perfectly suited.

The Album is personal, mysterious and peaceful, which came across clearly in the Visual part of it, either music video, photo’s or artwork. Sophie succeeded in creating a lovely, feel good album and poured her thoughts as a mature lady into it, taking you in an interesting Journey, grows inside you and although it never makes a statement, it leaves you impressed.

have you ever listened to a song and wished that someone else sings it and does it Justice?

this happens to me a lo, but with being extra gutted whenever I listen to the masterpiece that is “common People” by pulp, and what’s super annoying is no one ever did it justice, including pulp themselves with their weird way of singing it, totally wasting the marvelous story the song presents. I tried and looked for cover versions and was disappointed by them all (I like covers very much, they revive songs, give them another dimension, adding experiences and interpretations and color, provoking different emotions and bringing to life distant memories. A totally silly song in it’s original version could become an absolutely amazing full of meanings when someone covers it, giving another interpretation, adding a whole new feeling and experience into it). To be fair, what provoked me to look into it in the first place is a Girl named Emily Worton who auditioned for the second season of the Voice UK performing an acoustic version of “Common People”, I was fascinated by it because I didn’t know the song before and thought “God, what an amazing lyrics”, I read the lyrics and was impressed that the story is so clear and sensible could be quoted in a movie, Novel, Paint or whatever piece of art you’re trying to make, then made my way through to the original pulp version and my hopes were shattered.

Here’s the amazing Audition.

Now, it’s a story filled with cultural hints, we could visualize it, get the atmosphere of it and imagine ourselves as this girl from Greece. we might have known someone who’s from foreign country and wanted to experience and ordinary common life of one of us, we might have felt this way ourselves when we travel. The Lyrics Drew an amazing detailed picture that takes you in and works your imagination.

Here’s the lyrics:

She came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge

She studied sculpture at Saint Martin’s College, that’s where I caught her eye.

She told me that her Dad was loaded

I said in that case I’ll have a rum and coke-cola.

She said fine and in thirty seconds time she said, I want to live like common people

I want to do whatever common people do, I want to sleep with common people

I want to sleep with common people like you.

Well what else could I do – I said I’ll see what I can do.

I took her to a supermarket

I don’t know why but I had to start it somewhere, so it started there.

I said pretend you’ve got no money, she just laughed and said oh you’re so funny.

I said yeah? Well I can’t see anyone else smiling in here.

Are you sure you want to live like common people

You want to see whatever common people see

You want to sleep with common people,

you want to sleep with common people like me.

But she didn’t understand, she just smiled and held my hand.

Rent a flat above a shop, cut your hair and get a job.

Smoke some fags and play some pool, pretend you never went to school.

But still you’ll never get it right

‘cos when you’re laid in bed at night watching roaches climb the wall

If you call your Dad he could stop it all.

You’ll never live like common people

You’ll never do what common people do

You’ll never fail like common people

You’ll never watch your life slide out of view, and dance and drink and screw

Because there’s nothing else to do.

Sing along with the common people, sing along and it might just get you thru’

Laugh along with the common people

Laugh along even though they’re laughing at you and the stupid things that you do.

Because you think that poor is cool.

I want to live with common people, I want to live with common people [etc..]

It’s one of those songs that makes a statement, carving the name of the artist in the national memory.. if pulp never have done but this one, it would be enough. Here’s a 2011 lively nostalgic performance after the band reunited following a an Eight years break up.s The audience went crazy and made it an Extra special Moment

Now, I tried tweeting Emily Worton asking her to post a cover of the whole song, because it was the best interpretation of the song and the only one that did it justice, but she didn’t respond ..

It’s argued that Graham Norton Show has the best TV live musical performances, I tend to agree a little bit, the sound system is great and the atmosphere is Theater like, Graham himself interacts very well with the musical guest.

I didn’t watch every episode of the show, but from the bunch of episodes I’ve seen, I’ll list my Favourite musical performances starting with the remarkable “Bonfire Heart” by James Blunt. I have to say that I watched other TV performances of the song like in X factor Australia (they have a very chillin’ fun atmosphere there, the audience interacts and gets excited as if it’s a concert, unlike the UK X factor which is a bit tense and judgmental) and other performance at the Ellen Show .. Graham Norton one is my favourite.

Another remarkable musical performance was by Paloma Faith for “Picking up the Pieces“, I have to say that Paloma is stunning anyway and mastered almost every performance for this song, but again, this version is my favourite.

Do you have to be a fan of the artist or the song to tell if the performance is great or not? not for me, no. That’s the case with Laura Mvula and Her “Green Garden” performance, very unique.

First of all I’m not a fan of this lady at all, her style of music isn’t my thing, but still I come across some of her songs here and there and I absolutely love Roar, fantastic melody and very good lyrics.

when I was watching the Brits 2014 videos and performances, I saw her own Performance of the new single “Dark Horse”, and I was Disappointed. let’s start with the song itself, apart from the rapping section (which happens to be cheesy) the lyrics are below average, convey’s no emotion whatsoever and leave’s you with nothing, clueless thinking what’s the point of this rubbish lyrics?

yet, the Melody is weird and dramatic, the chorus is a bit good and catchy, yet the song as a raw material is rubbish. The dramatic weird tune and melody gives the singer a chance to be creative on stage, creating a whole new conception and open new dimensions to the song itself, maybe rescuing it, but what did we get at the Brits? another useless pointless choreography by Katy which reminded me of the stupid choreography of her “Roar” performance at the X factor UK 2013.

well, back to the Brit .. the costumes as a design went OK with the the song, phoenix theme, so we can let it pass. what about the colors? neon lights! say she wants to shine and create a visual vibe on stage with these colors so I’ll let it pass as well. let’s come to the dancing now, Oh Dear, I was confused with the booty shaking and sticks moving all around the place, what is this? it’s not even an ancient Egyptian dance and have no relation whatsoever to the melody! and poor Katy, with all the props, costumes, make up, still didn’t shine and had no significant presence .. this is what happens when you overdo things ladies and gentlemen, you’ll be lost. while watching the whole thing I had the “Huh?!?” look on my face, I was really hoping that this particular performance will change my previous opinion about her stage presence and urgent need to fire her Choreographer, because I saw her VMA’s performance, previous Brits and X factor performances and couldn’t help but think that whoever is choreographing her is doing a rubbish job. the chance to turn “Dark Horse” from cheesy pointless song into dramatic interesting visual act was wasted, and left me wondering why this performance, and her overall stage presence, are annoyingly overrated?

it’s really weird seeing international mega star with poor personal stage presence that needs loads and loads of props and production when you see John and Edward (Jedward) ability to steel the show and burn the stage with their mere exploding energy and enthusiasm, nothing else but few dancers with normal outfits and relevant energetic dance moves in total sync with the boys themselves. I’m not talking about X factor days, I’m talking about their Lipstick Eurovison performance

and simple fan video’s you see from their tours and concerts.. for example, check this out.

and before you say anything, They’re actually singing live . pay attention and you’ll notice their voices vibrating while moving.